The Fearless, Featherless
Fliers
Author: Rizwan Ahmed Memon
In my
ten-year experience of teaching, I have seen many students. From hardworking to
lazy, from young to old. But I had never dealt with blind students.
On
February 15th, 2015, after taking my two classes as usual, I came to the
teachers’ office to take a break. Before long, as I stood up to go home, sir
Zahoor, the administrator of the institute said, “Sir, don’t go anywhere. You
have a third class from today.”
When I
entered the class, it was full, with about twenty students. Three were blind:
Salman, Jhangir, and Bilawal. At first I was confused and worried about how I
would be able to teach these blind students. However, after a few days, I felt
just as comfortable with teaching them as I do with normal students. Their
life, hard work, and regularity became not only an inspiration for me but also
for the rest of the class.
As the
days went by, I learned new things from them. Especially Bilawal, who had
become my role model. His spirit, and the ideas he shared, had such an impact
on my mind and philosophies. His thoughts, so full of life, hope, and
enthusiasm gave me goose bumps.
One
day, we had a party in the class. I said to the students, “Today we’re having a
party, so we won’t discuss grammar. I want you to tell me more about your lives
and your plans. Let me start by asking you two questions. How was your life in
the past? And are you satisfied with your lives in the present?”
Every
student answered one by one sharing their past happy and sad experiences.
Bilawal, the blind student replied, “Sir, in the past I felt inferior. I spent
many years feeling this way. But as I have grown up, I have realized it is the
will of God. And I am content now with whatever I am and whatever I have. I
cannot see the people, but I am grateful that I can hear them, talk to them. I
cannot see the landscapes, but I am grateful that I can walk on them.”
Bilawal’s
optimism and view of life was inspiring for the whole class. I remember once he
told us that he went to the library regularly. I said to him, “How do you
manage to get to the library? There is dreadful traffic in Larkana. Aren’t you
afraid of being hit by a car?”
“Sir,
life and death are in God’s hands. If I didn’t go to the library because of the
fear of getting hit, I would not be able to do anything by just sitting at
home.”
He had
a goal to serve humanity. One Eid, I asked them, “What did you ask Allah for in
your prayers?”
Bilawal
answered, “Sir, I do not ask for anything from God but to bless me with
anything through which I can help others.”
Though
Bilawal was a blind student, he had such spirit, plans, and wishes which I
hardly ever find in other students. I have always believed that if you have
dreams, you can make them come true with your struggles and perseverance.
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Respond
to the story:
What
does Bilawal (the blind student) ask for from God?
Do
you consider disabled people inferior to you?
Why
was Bilawal not afraid of traffic?
What
do you learn from the lives of disabled people?
How
do you utilize your life, eyesight, feet, hands, and mind for the betterment of
humanity?
Good
health is a precious gift of God. Explain.
What
is the author’s message to the readers in this story?
